Keep the Lights On, Beasts of the Southern Wild and Middle of Nowhere each received a total of four nominations when the shortlist was announced on Tuesday.

To be eligible for an Independent Spirit nod, all films must have been made for less than $20 million. Movies must have either screened at a major film festival including Sundance, Toronto or the Los Angeles Film Festival or run for at least a week at a commercial theatre.

The winners will be unveiled at a ceremony in California on February 23rd - on the eve of the 2013 Academy Awards.

Photo Credits: The Weinstein Company Inc.
, Focus Features Inc

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